Abdominal pain on the right side? Here’s what it means and when you need to see a doctor

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Abdominal pain on the right side can have various causes. It can be the result of various diseases as well as developing infection, food poisoning or indigestion. However, in the case of abdominal pain on the right side, it may also be a symptom that requires immediate medical attention. Find out how to deal with abdominal pain on the right side.

1. Doctors reassure – pain in the abdomen on the right most often does not mean serious health problems. However, this symptom should not be underestimated
2. Persistent discomfort can be symptoms of liver, gallbladder, kidney and even heart problems
3. When gastrointestinal diseases are the cause of abdominal pain, it is recommended to switch to a more easily digestible diet
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Abdominal pain on the right side – the most common causes

Pain in the abdomen and discomfort on the right side does not always mean that you are seriously ill. Most often this is not a cause for concern. Often, pain on the right side of the abdomen is associated with periodic digestive system disorders and is a form of defense of the body. Pain may appear after eating a heavy meal, as a result of which gas accumulates in the abdomen and bloating occurs.

Pain can also appear after strenuous exercise, especially if you drink a lot of water before exercising. However, it should be remembered that this symptom should not be ignored and if you are concerned about serious diseases, it is best to see a doctor immediately.

Abdominal pain in the lower right side may be acute or chronic. Acute pain in the right side of the abdomen comes on suddenly and is often limited in nature. It may therefore be stronger when you cough, move or suddenly reposition your body. It is most often a symptom of acute diseases which, if left unresponsive, may endanger the patient’s health and life.

Chronic stomach pain on the right side may be a stinging sensation in the right side of the belly or a feeling of pressure on the right side of the belly. Chronic pain can last for a very long time, even several months or years. The symptoms may vary in severity during this period, and the patient may have problems with accurately locating the source of the pain. Chronic stomach pain can be related to nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. In addition, you may experience elevated temperatures and the pain may worsen during periods of rest.

Abdominal pain on the right side – upper abdomen

Abdominal pain on the right in the lower abdomen may indicate various diseases, and it is not worth neglecting this symptom. It often turns out that the longer we wait, the worse we start to feel and the greater the risk of serious complications.

Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen may be associated with inflammation of the gallbladder or biliary tract, acute hepatitis, biliary colic, or gastric and duodenal ulcer disease. There can be many reasons and they all require medical consultation.

Pain in this part of the abdomen may also indicate inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation of the appendicitis located at an angle, renal colic, or inflammation of the lower right lobe of the lung. In addition, pain in the upper abdomen on the right can also be due to congestive heart failure. That is why it is worth checking the state of health when we start to feel discomfort in this area.

Our attention should be drawn to the symptoms accompanying abdominal pain in the lower abdomen:

1. pain that progresses in the upper right abdomen may indicate hepatitis. At the same time, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness and a feeling of breakdown may appear;
2. pain may also occur simultaneously with jaundice, fever and chills, possibly suggesting a liver abscess;
3. the abdominal pain on the right side up may be a severe pain radiating to the back, lower abdomen and shoulder blade. At the same time, it may accelerate heart rate, impaired consciousness, drops in blood pressure, oliguria and respiratory disorders. These could be symptoms of an inflammation of the pancreas;
4. abdominal pain in the right side can also be one of the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. Then it will be accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and periodic jaundice.

If the upper abdominal pain is also accompanied by local chest discomfort, this could indicate a heart attack, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, oesophagitis, pneumonia, or pleurisy.

Check it out: How do I deal with gurgling in my stomach?

Abdominal pain on the right side – lower abdomen

Pain in the lower right abdomen, i.e. the lower right quadrant is a common symptom of appendicitis, enteritis, or colitis. It may also result from obstruction or inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation of the genitourinary system, and therefore may be associated with renal colic, adnexitis, cysts, and ovarian torsion or rupture.

The feeling of stinging in the abdomen on the right can also mean an ectopic pregnancy, a hernia, or a result of inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. An accurate diagnosis is possible only after the tests ordered by the doctor have been performed, so it is not worth delaying the appointment.

Our attention should be drawn to the symptoms accompanying abdominal pain in the lower abdomen:

1. very strong contractions, diffuse abdominal pain, low-grade fever, chills, loss of appetite and nausea – this indicates inflammation of the ovary or fallopian tubes;
2. we feel burning pain during bowel movements and urination, as well as a lump in the groin – these symptoms are indicative of an inguinal hernia;
3. colic-like pain in the loins which radiates to the symphysis pubis and thighs. These symptoms are accompanied by difficulties in urinating and a feeling of pressure on the bladder, as well as a general decline in well-being, vomiting, nausea and chills – they indicate the development of nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis;
4. abdominal pain in women of varying intensity may indicate inflammation of the endometrium, ovarian cysts, ovarian rupture or endometriosis, while in men it may indicate epididymitis or prostatitis.

Abdominal pain on the right side – pain under the ribs

Abdominal pain on the right under the ribs can also be of different forms. When the pain on the right side is burning and radiating to the groin or the lower back, it may indicate a dangerous abdominal aortic aneurysm that is life-threatening. In the event of its rupture, hemorrhagic shock will appear, which is directly threatening the patient’s life.

In turn, dull pain of a strong, colic nature that radiates to the scapula and back indicates the development of gallstone disease. Most often, abdominal pain of this nature is also accompanied by a lack of appetite, flatulence, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. Pain most often worsens after a fatty and hard-to-digest meal. Bouts of this pain may last from several minutes to even several dozen hours.

Pain under the ribs on the right side of the abdomen can also be associated with increased heart rate and breathing. The person may be upset, confused, have a fever and chills. Then it may suggest inflammation of the gallbladder. Chronic waist pain, on the other hand, may indicate appendicitis or even colon cancer, and requires prompt medical attention.

Abdominal pain on the right side – diagnosis

Pain in the right part of the abdomen requires medical consultation. When the symptoms are very severe and do not disappear spontaneously, the doctor collects a detailed interview from the patient during the visit and carries out a physical examination. In addition, most often it also orders certain laboratory tests. Typically, the doctor will refer the patient to a blood test, i.e. a complete morphology, and also asks for CRP and ESR levels to be determined. When a patient complains of abdominal pain in the right side, it is also worth testing for electrolytes, AST, ALT, GGTP and ALP activity, creatinine and serum glucose levels. A general urine test and an ECG may also be helpful.

Measurements of amylase, bilirubin and cardiac troponin levels can also help diagnose the causes of right abdominal pain. It may also be necessary to perform a blood test for blood in your stool after your medical history is taken. The next stage of diagnosis are imaging tests, such as ultrasound of the abdominal cavity or X-ray, and endoscopic examinations, such as colonoscopy and gastroscopy.

Check it out: What can be caused by stinging in the abdomen?

Abdominal pain on the right side – treatment

Abdominal pain can have many causes, so the type of treatment used depends only on the diagnosis made by the doctor, but also on the general health of the patient. If the pain in the right part of the abdomen results from ailments from the digestive system, and therefore is associated with food poisoning or the so-called stomach flu, mainly with diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. In this case, treatment mainly includes rest, adequate hydration, following an easily digestible diet and giving up physical activity for some time. However, if the patient becomes dehydrated, it is necessary to supplement electrolytes and take medications to combat diarrhea.

Abdominal pain on the right side, which is a consequence of stress and exhaustion, is most often associated with a feeling of pressure and discomfort, less than usual appetite and constipation. In this case, it may be helpful to consult a psychologist and learn about relaxation techniques. This is often the only solution to a problem for a long time.

It should also be remembered that the abdominal pain on the right side may be a symptom of the so-called acute abdomen and in this case immediate surgery is necessary. An indication for a quick consultation with a doctor is also high fever, pain that makes normal functioning difficult or impossible. In this case, you should see a doctor immediately to avoid serious health consequences related to the ailments.

Abdominal pain on the right side – diet

The pain in the abdomen on the right can be alleviated by making certain changes to the diet, as it is she who is most often responsible for the discomfort in this area. For our digestive system to function optimally, we need to eat properly. This means, first of all, easily digestible meals to which our stomach responds well. Our diet should therefore include:

1. lean meat and meat products;
2. delicate cheeses;
3. low-fat dairy products;
4. eggs;
5. vegetable fats;
6. large amounts of vegetables and fruits.

In addition to the appropriate food products, it is also worth remembering about their proper processing. Cooking and steaming will be best. It is necessary to eat a sufficient number of meals throughout the day and to have sufficiently large portions. Although there are general guidelines, it is worth observing your body and choosing only what you respond well to. Therefore, it is worth monitoring your eating habits carefully and introducing gradual changes tailored to our needs.

Check it out: What can a hard belly show?

Abdominal pain on the right side – home remedies

There are many ways to deal with abdominal pain, especially when the problem results from digestive system disorders, which is mainly caused by external factors. However, it should be remembered that home remedies will only work if the abdominal pain is not related to any disease. Therefore, at home, it is worth remembering about:

1. stress elimination – stress often causes pain and pressure around the abdomen, so learn relaxation techniques. Breathing exercises, relaxing herbal baths, walks or warm compresses on the stomach can help. The most important thing is that this activity should help us relax in a stressful situation;
2. ruch – regular exercise of the right intensity will help us solve gastrointestinal problems. All it takes is gentle jogging, swimming, cycling or some other moderate activity to notice a change in the digestive system. This makes it easy to avoid constipation and digestive problems;
3. change of diet – avoid products containing a lot of fat, strong spices, very sweet and very salty products, and those highly processed;
4. water – during the day you should drink at least 2 liters of water a day. It can also be, for example, herbal tea;
5. Herbs – remember about herbs that have a beneficial effect on the digestive system, such as peppermint, cumin, fennel, anise or chamomile. You can buy a natural tea that regulates digestion at Medonet Market.

Abdominal pain on the right side – herbs

Pain in the right part of the abdomen can be relieved with herbal preparations. In their composition, you should look for ingredients that will help solve stomach problems. These are, for example:

1. bitter dressing herb – it is very effective in stimulating gastrointestinal motility. Bitter dressing extracts affect the muscles of the lower stomach, which are responsible for moving food in the digestive system. They will help to get rid of the feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach. They also relieve heartburn and protect the mucosa of the digestive system;
2. angelica root – has a relaxing and calming effect on the stomach. It prevents stomach cramps and soothes the feeling of fullness and flatulence. It will help relieve indigestion, regulate the production of stomach acid and counteract inflammation;
3. cumin fruit – have an antispasmodic effect, prevent flatulence and the feeling of fullness in the stomach. It will help, among others relieve colic in children. In addition, they stimulate digestion, have a bactericidal effect and prevent inflammation;
4. chamomile flowers – they have an anti-inflammatory effect, protect the mucosa, balance the mobility of the stomach and stimulate its work. They also regulate the production of stomach acid and are anti-inflammatory;
5. milk thistle fruit – silymarin contained in them protects liver cells against toxins. In addition, it protects the gastric mucosa from damage, fights free radicals and has anti-inflammatory properties;
6. lemon balm leaves – is a source of essential oils that contain many valuable chemicals, such as antiviral tannins, soothing terpenes and eugenol to soothe muscle spasms and have antibacterial properties;
7. aim glistnika – stimulates the activity of smooth muscles in the gastric vestibule. It has a relaxing effect on the intestines and protects against free radicals. It owes its properties to the alkaloids contained in it, facilitating digestion, soothing spasms and preventing inflammation;
8. peppermint leaves – they soothe gentle contractions of the digestive tract, eliminating flatulence and abdominal pain. They have anti-inflammatory properties, fight free radicals and regulate the production of stomach acid. They also stimulate the production of bile;
9. licorice root – regulates the production of gastric acid, protects the gastric mucosa and has anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to this, it will prove useful during mucositis and the regulation of digestive problems, such as dyspepsia.

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